Before it kicks off next season against Louisville, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees made sure it approved the contracts of all ten assistant coaches on staff.
While we learned the deals of seven individuals on Nick Saban’s staff earlier in the offseason, information on the last three coaches was made known on Monday. Per UA’s Board of Trustees, offensive coordinator Michael Locksley was approved at $1.2 million for three years.
Locksley, who served at offensive analyst and co-offensive coordinator in the last two seasons, will run the Crimson Tide’s offensive in the fall as the primary play-caller. He was credited with maneuvering both Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa through run-pass option offense in 2017.
After starting as a defensive recruiting intern in 2014 and making waves at outside linebackers coach, Tosh Lupoi was promoted to co-defensive coordinator a season ago. Pairing his creativity alongside Jeremy Pruitt led Alabama to 40 sacks, en route to winning a national championship.
In moving to defensive coordinator, Lupoi will make $1.1 million for three seasons.
He has proven to be one the best young recruiters in college football, especially with his work in helping the Tide sign a No. 1 class in 2017 and working on a top-ranked group for 2019.
His face may be new to social media, but Scott Cochran isn’t a stranger to cash.
Alabama’s director of strength and conditioning will pocket $585,000 for the 2018, as Cochran enters his 12th season in Tuscaloosa (same as Saban). Cochran’s high energy, weight room discipline and tough dietary regiment has pushed the program to five Southeastern Conference championships, five national championships and seven consecutive No. 1 signing classes.
What caused the Tide to be a few thousand dollars cheaper this time is that Dan Enos and Jeff Banks are still collecting paychecks from other schools. Once Enos’ buyout is done at Arkansas, he is expected to pull in $875,000 at Alabama while Banks will make $550,000 in the next seasons after his issue with Texas A&M is done. Both guys are eager for the season to start.
Alabama spent $5.95 million on paying 10 assistant coaches, which comes on the heels of the school kicking out $5.99 million in 2017. Listed below are the approved contracts for all 10 coaches – according to UA’s Board of Trustees.
Michael Locksley, OC, $1.2 million
Tosh Lupoi, DC/OLBs coach, $1.1 million
Craig Kuligowski, DL coach, $750,000
Pete Golding, Co-DC/ILB coach, $650,000
Karl Scott, DB coach, $350,000
Jeff Banks, ST/TE coach, $267,000
Josh Gattis, Co-OC/WRs coach, $525,000
Joe Pannunzio, RBs coach, $425,000
Brent Key, OL coach, $490,000
Dan Enos, QBs coach, $200,000
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
